republicans are asking for changes to social security and medicare. any common ground? >> shep, in public, it does not sound like it. top republican leaders say if you want to avoid the fiscal cliff, you need to address the drivers of our debt. >> we know that the only way we can solve our long-term debt and deficit problem is to fix the unsustainable growth rates of our very popular entitlement programs. the president has from time to time indicated an openness to that. now is the time to actually do it. >> 42 business groups sent a letter to leaders of congress asking them to do tax reform to lower tax rates and also address entitlement reforms. >> shepard: democrats say they want more revenue, more taxes here. what about entitlement changes? >> well, any time you start talking about tweaking these programs, there are groups in washington around the country that mobilize to try and stop cuts. the number two senate democrat, dick durbin, says he'd be open to look at entitlements, but not part of the fiscal cliff talks. here is the senate majority leader's view. >> at t